help with 的！
cotroxell
March 01, 2008, 08:00 PM posted in General DiscussionI'm relatively new to Chinese, listening mostly to Elementary lessons, but I still don't understand exactly how the particle 的 works. I think it can be used as a possessive, and to connect adjectives after the noun, but does it also work as a relative clause marker or something? If anyone could help me, I would appreciate it.
auntie68
March 02, 2008, 12:58 AMHello. cotroxell, yes, the 的 does also function as a relative clause marker. In the context of Chinese grammar (which is substantially different from English grammar), the 的 is actually functioning as an adjectival phrase marker. There's a pretty good explanation (with examples) in Wikipedia, under "Chinese Grammar". The key word is "marker". One of the keys to getting comfortable with Mandarin is getting a feel for these markers, namely, a feel for which words "belong" to the 的 (or 的's !) in the sentence. I know you are doing "Elementary" but there is an excellent example that is really taken apart well by Jenny Zhu and John in the "banter" to the "London" Intermediate lesson, at about 1min 55sec into the recording. Worth looking at. All the best!
tvan
March 02, 2008, 01:03 AMcotroxell, also, while I wouldn't be worried about them yet, be prepared for 地 and 得, 的's evil triplets.
auntie68
March 02, 2008, 01:03 AMThe exact phrase is in the second line of dialogue: 又古老又现代， 是我去过的最好的城市。
rich
March 02, 2008, 02:33 PM的 is the word for "taxi"... like in 打的。 What is hard to understand about that?? I don't get it... ** ;-) sorry, I just have to be turd and write a post that causes more confusion than helps, as I just wrote too many serious posts in other threads... enjoy! heehee ;-) **
GreyPhoenix
March 01, 2008, 11:08 PMHi there! Good question. 的 used to throw me for a loop also, but it does get easier the more you hear it. Basically, I think of 的 as being possessive. For example: 他的爱 (ta1 de ai4) would be "his love." Literally, the sentence is "he (de) love." Most sentences seem to follow that simple pattern, especially in earlier lessons. Things do get more complicated, however (don't they always?). For example, "His love for me" would be "他对我的爱" (ta1 dui4 wo3 de ai4." Literally this translates as "he towards me (de) love." I guess the basic rule of thumb in most cases is to treat it as the English apostrophe showing possession ('). This doesn't always work, but it should get you started down the road to understanding this interesting particle of speech. Hope this helps! Keep at it, you'll get it soon. :- )